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Netflix Must-Series: 'Leverage'

TNT
Leverage brings the heist movie genre to the small screen. Each episode, the team of Leverage Consulting &amp; Associates takes down a fat cat or crime lord that has hurt one of their clients. Whether it’s a high-stakes grift or an elaborate theft, this cadre of ex-cons rights wrongs, Robin Hood-style.
Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton) is a former insurance fraud investigator. He gets drafted into an elaborate con with thief Parker (Beth Riesgraf), hacker Alec Hardison (Aldis Hodge), former black ops agent Eliot Spencer (Christian Kane), and his ex, an experienced grifter, Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman). They decide to combine their unique set of skills on the right side of the law to help the helpless: to provide them with some leverage...get it?
The show takes all the twists, turns, and shocking misdirects from movies like Ocean’s Eleven or The Italian Job and takes it to a local level. It’s insane that the series is able to come up with so many smart reveals and elaborate capers for each episode.
If great writing isn’t enough, the casting of the series is genius. The characters are more than just their heist skills. Each character brings a different layer to their character. Hutton may play the moral voice of the show but he also has a drinking problem and a self-destructive impulse. Riesgraf and Hodge may play expert thieves but they also have a dorky vibe. The British-born Bellman showcases all of her accents and unique vocal tricks as she plays a grifter playing a character during a con.
Movies like Oceans Fifteen: Still Wet, are fun to watch for the satisfaction of a well-played con. Leverage provides all that satisfaction combined with likable characters and unique writing.
Netflix has all five seasons of the series, which ended last winter.
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Sad news for fans of TNT's Leverage — the network has announced that the Season 5 finale, which will air on Christmas day, will be the show's final outing. The hour-long drama, which stars Timothy Hutton as a former insurance fraud investigator who leads a team of modern day corporate fraud Robin Hoods, had a small but loyal fan base. Creator Dean Devlin reached out to that fan base over the weekend on his blog, to give them an early warning about the show's fate.
"It has been decided today that this Tuesday’s episode of Leverage 'The Long Goodbye Job' will be the series finale as TNT has decided not to renew the show for a sixth season," Devlin wrote before thanking the network for the show's five seasons. He had anticipated this news, so "The Long Goodbye Job" was shot as a series finale. "I’m so happy we were able to film the series finale we had always envisioned and I’m happy we’re able to present it on Christmas as our gift to you. It’s a bittersweet goodbye."
Hollywood.com reached out to the network for comment:
TNT’s Leverage has thrilled audiences with its delightfully intricate plots, its “stand up for the little guy” attitude and its terrific performances from stars Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Aldis Hodge. But after five wonderful years, it’s time to say goodbye. Leverage will come to a close on Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), with a series finale that stands as one of the show’s best episodes.
We are honored to have worked with executive producer Dean Devlin, Electric Entertainment, creators John Rogers and Chris Downey, and all the cast and production crew on Leverage. We look forward to exploring new opportunities to work with them again in the future. We also want to thank the passionately devoted fans of Leverage, who have been the driving force behind its success.Not happy news to receive during the holidays, but Season 5's sharp ratings decline was looming heavy. Tell us, Leverage fans — will you tune in on Christmas to say goodbye?
Follow Shaunna on Twitter @HWShaunna
[PHOTO CREDIT: TNT]
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Let's hope Jason Lee is prepared to be up all night for the next few months because the actor's rep has confirmed to Hollywood.com that Lee and his wife, Ceren, welcomed a son into the world on Saturday, June 16. So what did parents decide to name their little bundle of joy? They opted to rather appropriately name their son, Sonny Lee.
This newest addition to the Lee family joins the couple's daughter Casper, 3, as well as Lee's son Pilot Inspektor, 8, from his prior relationship with Beth Riesgraf. The actor and his wife, Ceren, wed in July 2008 and renewed their vows last November.
Lee, 42, most recently guest-starred on NBC’s Up All Night as Maya Rudolph‘s love interest, Kevin. Now he'll be be able to take the show's title quite literally. Congratulations to the happy parents!
Follow Kelly on Twitter @KellyBean0415
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The My Name is Earl star's wife Ceren gave birth to a son on 16 June (12) in Los Angeles.
Sonny Lee weighed in at seven pounds, six ounces (3.35 kilograms), his representative tells People.com.
The new arrival joins the couple's three-year-old daughter Casper, as well as eight-year-old son Pilot Inspektor, from Lee's previous relationship with actress Beth Riesgraf.

The star's wife Ceren is pregnant and due to give birth to a baby boy in June (12), according to People.com.
The couple wed in 2008 and is parents to three-year-old daughter Casper.
Lee also has an eight-year-old son, named Pilot Inspektor, from his previous relationship with former fiancee and My Name is Earl co-star Beth Riesgraf.

My Name Is Earl star Jason Lee is a father for the second time--his girlfriend Ceren Alkac has given birth to a baby girl.
A representative for the actor has confirmed to People.com that Lee and Alkac's daughter was born on Aug. 10, but released no further information.
Lee announced the pregnancy back in April. In June the couple sparked rumors that they were planning to marry after they were spotted applying for a marriage license in California.
Lee, 38, has a 4-year-old son named Pilot Inspektor with his ex, actress Beth Riesgraf. The baby girl is Alkac's first child.
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